Forest Row vs Heathfield (Wealden)
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.7 miles apart.
The verdict
Heathfield (wealden) is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 23% lower. Forest Row has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Forest Row edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Forest Row
£526,850
Heathfield (Wealden)
£427,048
Crime Rate
Forest Row
40.7
Heathfield (Wealden)
41.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Forest Row
100.0%
Heathfield (Wealden)
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Forest Row
388.1
Heathfield (Wealden)
315.6
EPC Rating
Forest Row
71.4
Heathfield (Wealden)
69.2
Median Income
Forest Row
£32,873
Heathfield (Wealden)
£30,597
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South EastProperty in Forest Row commands an average of £526,850, compared with £427,048 in Heathfield (wealden) – a difference of 23%. The most affordable entry point in Forest Row is a flat at £228,167, while in Heathfield (wealden) it is a flat at £162,524.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 40% pricier in Forest Row (£228,167 vs £162,524).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Heathfield (wealden) prices grew faster — 33% vs 5%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South EastForest Row has a crime rate of 40.7 per 1,000 residents, which is 2% lower than Heathfield (wealden) at 41.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Forest Row is violent-crime, while in Heathfield (wealden) it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South EastFamilies may prefer Forest Row, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 100% in Heathfield (wealden). There are 1 schools in Forest Row and 2 in Heathfield (wealden).
Forest Row School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Heathfield (Wealden) School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (2 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Forest Row | Heathfield (Wealden) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 1 | 2 |
| Primary | 1 | 2 |
| Secondary | 0 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 100% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 388.1 Mbps in Forest Row and 315.6 Mbps in Heathfield (wealden). Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 95.1% of premises in Forest Row and 94.8% in Heathfield (wealden). Gigabit availability stands at 73.9% in Forest Row and 56.8% in Heathfield (wealden).
Forest Row is the faster of the two by 23% on average download speed (388 vs 316 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Energy efficiency favours Forest Row, scoring 71.4 on average (band C) compared to 69.2 (band C) in Heathfield (wealden). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,236 in Forest Row and £1,316 in Heathfield (wealden). 63.6% of homes in Forest Row have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.2% in Heathfield (wealden).
Forest Row has more energy-efficient housing — 63.6% reach band C or above, vs 57.2% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £32,873 in Forest Row and £30,597 in Heathfield (wealden). The median age is 46.9 in Forest Row and 50.9 in Heathfield (wealden). Employment rates stand at 59% in Forest Row and 51.8% in Heathfield (wealden). Owner-occupancy is 74.8% in Forest Row versus 74.8% in Heathfield (wealden). Forest Row has a population of 3,881 and Heathfield (wealden) has 7,663.
| Indicator | Forest Row | Heathfield (Wealden) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,881 | 7,663 |
| Median Age | 46.9 | 50.9 |
| Median Household Income | £32,873 | £30,597 |
| Employment Rate | 59% | 51.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 74.8% | 74.8% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 35.7% | 31.2% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Forest Row and Heathfield (wealden)?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Forest Row or Heathfield (wealden)?
Is Forest Row or Heathfield (wealden) safer?
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